Transfixed with joy and astonishment, the bad man
stood still. His game was sure--it had not escaped him.
He sat down by the child. He did not care to wake him. While Maurice
slept he made his plans.
And now, having given over Maurice to the owner of the caravan, with
strict directions not to let him escape, he was hurrying through the
forest to meet Joe. He wanted to see Joe alone. It would by no means
answer his purpose to come across Cecile or even indeed at present to
let Cecile know anything about his near vicinity.
Little Maurice's directions had been simple enough, and soon Anton
came in sight of the hut. He did not want to come any nearer. He sat
down behind an oak tree, and waited. From where he sat, he could
watch the entrance to the hut, but could not himself be seen.
Presently he saw Cecile and Joe come out. Toby also stood at their
heels. Cecile and Joe appeared to be consulting anxiously. At last
they seemed to have come to a conclusion; Cecile and Toby went one
way, and Joe another.
Anton saw with delight that everything was turning out according to
his best hopes; Cecile and Toby were going toward the village, while
Joe wandered in his direction. He waited only long enough to see the
little girl and the dog out of sight, then, rising from the ground,
he approached Joe.
The poor boy was walking along with his eyes fixed on the ground. He
seemed anxious and preoccupied. In truth he was thinking with
considerable alarm of little Maurice.
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